Quebecers leaving the province in big numbers: poll

A new analysis by the Canadian Institute for Identities and Migration - based on Statistics Canada population estimates released in late December - suggests that Quebec is losing people to other provinces at a rate not seen in more than a decade.

According to a report by the Montreal Gazette, the movers' favoured destination is west down the 401.

A total of 28,439 people moved from Quebec to another province from January to September 2013 — the highest number of departures for that period in any year since 2000.

In most cases, Quebec’s loss was Ontario’s gain, with two out of three ex-Quebecers moving to Ontario, one in four to Alberta and just under one in ten to British Columbia, according to quarterly demographic estimates released by Statistics Canada in December.

Jack Jedwab, a demographer with the Canadian Institute for Identities and Migration, says the reasons for the exodus is likely more economic than political.

"These numbers have a very recessionary look to them, at a time when we’re not in a recession," he told the Gazette admitting that he will have to rethink his hypothesis if the negative population trend continues.

CBC reporters also spoke to an eastern Ontario realtor who says her Quebec client list has grown significantly since September 2012.

"We tend to notice a surge when the PQ gets into power," broker Jackie Smith said estimating that business had increased by a whopping 25 per cent since the PQ took office.

Keep in mind that these figures are from before the PQ government formally unveiled their controversial Values Charter, which would essentially ban all government employees from wearing religious symbols in public institutions.